Pigments is a group of compounds that are intensely colored and are employed to impart color to other materials. They absorb the light of selective wavelength and then emit various colors through the process of reflection or transmission. Pigments are used to improve the appearance of a substrate on which they are used or impart color to the medium in which they are used. Pigments can be organic or inorganic. Organic pigments are based on carbon chains and carbon rings. However, they can also contain metallic elements that help stabilize properties of the organic component. Inorganic pigments are usually metallic salts precipitated from solutions. The particle size of inorganic pigments is larger than that of organic pigments. Pigments can impart a versatile range of colors to paints, coatings, plastics, inks, etc. while improving their aesthetic properties. These help enhance properties such as opacity, hiding power, light and weather fastness, heat stability, and tinting strength.

Based on product, the pigments market has been classified into inorganic, organic, and specialty. Inorganic pigments are the most commercially used pigments. Inorganic pigments are usually extracted from minerals or petrochemical sources. Largely used inorganic pigments are titanium dioxide, iron oxide, carbon black, and chromium compounds. Titanium dioxide is the most used inorganic pigment. Titanium dioxide is in the form of fine white powder. It is used in paints and coatings to attain maximum whiteness. It provides the paint with high hiding power i.e. ability to mask or hide the substrate underneath. Hiding power of titanium dioxide is higher than any other white pigment. Currently, titanium dioxide is by far the most important pigment used in the paints industry for attaining whiteness. Organic pigments that are most commonly used are azo compounds, quinacridone, and phthalocyanine. Organic pigments have brighter colors such as blue, green, yellow, red, and orange; higher color strength; and little toxicity. Organic pigments can be extracted from organic compounds such as succinic acid, aniline, and phthalonitrile. Specialty pigments such as metallic, high-performance organic, fluorescent, phosphorescent, and luminescent pigments offer vibrant color intensity, glossy effect, and durability. The specialty pigments segment is expected to be driven by rising investments in infrastructure and increasing need for long-lasting pigments that can resist harsh weather. Specialty pigments are used by high-end automobile companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Specialty pigments are in high demand as they increase the functionality by binding the substrate and paint together and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the substrate. Growing need for protection of buildings from dampness, fungi, and corrosion is also boosting the specialty pigments segment.

Paints & coatings is the dominant end-user segment of the pigments market. Pigments are used extensively in the formulation of paints. Pigments impart color and a glossy effect as well as improve aesthetic appeal of paints and coatings. Usage of pigments helps impart brightness, heat stability, and light stability to the paint. The architectural paints & coatings industry has grown considerably owing to rise in infrastructure development and construction activities in developing economies. Furthermore, growth of automotive and consumer goods sectors has boosted the decorative paints & coatings industry. The paints & coatings industry in developed countries witnesses higher per capita consumption, but sluggish growth. The per capita consumption of paints in developing countries is lower than that in developed countries in Western Europe. The per capita consumption of paints in India, China, Singapore, South Korea, and countries in ASEAN and GCC is likely to increase significantly in the near future, due to the economic growth. Thus, growth of the paints & coatings industry is likely to be a key driver of the pigments market during the forecast period.

Increasing plastic consumption is another driver of the market for pigments. Pigments are employed as colorants in a wide range of plastics owing to their excellent compatibility with several plastics. Pigments impart unique appearance and styling effects to plastic products. High-performance organic and inorganic pigments are used in the plastics industry. Pigments are employed in PVC pipes, window profiles, vinyl siding, and gutters. Pigments applied in the plastics industry guarantee maximum color strength and stability and low coloring costs. Besides coloring effects and improved esthetics, pigments increase the stability of plastics and improve their resistance to weather conditions such as heat and moisture.

In terms of volume, Asia Pacific dominated the global pigments market in 2017. The pigments market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the most rapid growth rate during the forecast period. Increasing population and rising per capita income are driving the demand for paints and coatings, especially in building & construction and automotive industries. Europe accounted for the second-largest share of the global pigments market in 2017. Middle East & Africa and Latin America are estimated to be emerging markets for pigments, registering a promising growth rate during the forecast period.

Pigments are insoluble particulate materials that provide color, opacity, gloss control, and certain properties such as corrosion inhibition. Pigments add a coloring effect to different substrates. Pigments improve light fastness, heat resistance, hiding power, opacity, and transparency. Based on product, the pigments market has been broadly classified into three categories: inorganic, organic, and specialty. Titanium dioxide, iron oxide, carbon black, chromium compounds, etc. form a class of inorganic pigments with extensive industrial usage. Titanium-based pigments are extensively utilized in the colorants industry. The extracted titanium dioxide used to synthesize pigments is available in two crystalline forms: anatase and rutile. The synthesis involves two routes: chloride and sulfate. Titanium dioxide pigments are employed in the paints & coatings industry. A few micrometers of a coating with titanium dioxide pigments is sufficient to cover the substrate completely. On the other hand, azo compounds, quinacridone, and phthalocyanine are the most commonly used organic pigments. Specialty pigments include classic organic, metallic, fluorescent, phosphorescent, and luminescent pigments. They offer improved performance with excellent visual effects.

In terms of end-user, the pigments market has been classified into paints & coatings, plastics, printing inks, construction materials, and others. Paints & coatings was a leading end-user segment in 2017. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2018 to 2026, due to rise in construction activities, increase in the number of infrastructure development projects, and expansion of the automotive sector in developing countries. Rapid industrialization, increase in investments in infrastructure development, and rise in global population are key factors driving the segment. Plastics is expected to be a significantly lucrative end-user segment of the global pigments market during the forecast period. The global plastics industry is likely to expand at a high rate in the next few years, owing to increase in the consumer demand for plastic-based products in developing economies. Printing inks is projected to be an attractive end-user segment in the near future, due to rise in the demand for inkjet printing and laser printing. This, in turn, is projected to drive the demand for pigments in developed and developing economies during the forecast period.

Based on region, the global pigments market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was the leading region of the global pigments market in 2017. Significant rise in the consumption of paints and coatings in Asia Pacific is a key factor driving the demand for pigments in the region.

The report analyzes and forecasts the market for pigments at the global and regional levels. The market has been projected in terms of volume (kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) from 2018 to 2026. The study includes drivers and restraints of the global pigments market. It also covers the anticipated impact of these drivers and restraints on the demand for pigments during the forecast period. The report also highlights opportunities for growth in the pigments market at the global and regional levels.

The report comprises a detailed value chain analysis, which provides a comprehensive view of the global pigments market. The Porter’s five forces model has also been included to help understand the competition landscape of the pigments market. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, wherein product and end-user segments have been benchmarked based on their market value, growth rate, and general attractiveness.

The study provides a decisive view of the global pigments market by segmenting it in terms of product, end-user, and region. These segments have been analyzed based on the present and future trends. Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for pigments in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The report also covers individual product and end-user segments of the market in every region.

The report provides the estimated market value of the global pigments market for 2018 and forecast for the next eight years. Market numbers have been estimated based on product, end-user, and region. Market value and forecast for each product and end-user segment have been provided for the global and regional markets.

Global Pigments Market, by Product

Inorganic Pigments

Titanium Dioxide

Iron Oxide

Carbon Black

Chromium Compounds

Others

Organic Pigments

Azo

Phthalocyanine

Quinacridone

Others

Specialty Pigments

Classic Organic

Metallic

High-performance Organic

Light Interference

Complex Inorganic

Fluorescent

Luminescent/phosphorescent

Thermochromic

Others

Global Pigments Market, by End-user

Paints & Coatings

Printing Inks

Plastics

Construction Materials

Others

Global Pigments Market, by Region

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

Italy

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Russia & CIS

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

ASEAN

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Key Takeaways

The report provides extensive analysis of market trends from 2017 to 2026 in order to identify growth opportunities and market developments

It provides comparative analysis of various end-user industries, wherein pigments are employed

The report also includes major production sites of pigments in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific as well as a list of manufacturers

It identifies key factors useful to build a roadmap for upcoming opportunities for the pigments market at the global, regional, and country levels

The report offers comprehensive analysis with respect to investments and regulatory scenario that would subsequently impact the outlook and forecast for the global pigments market between 2018 and 2026

The report provides detailed competition landscape of players dominating the market in order to help understand the competition level

It includes Porter’s Five Forces analysis and SWOT analysis to highlight the power of buyers and suppliers